The Bloodhound is a scent hound of great
size and strength with a noble, dignified expression.
No wonder Bloodhounds look so noble and dignified
(sometimes): they have a distinguished history. St.
Hubert hounds, ancestors of today's Bloodhounds,
helped Europeans celebrate the Millennium in the year
1000. Today's Bloodhounds are descended from those
hounds, bred by Hubert, a 7th-century French monk who
later became patron saint of hunters, and from hounds
bred by other medieval noblemen who kept scent hounds
as hunting dogs. Many strains, including hounds
brought back to Europe by the Crusaders from the Holy
Land, have blended to produce today's gentle giants.
It was not until the 16th century that the Bloodhound
was used to track humans. Mantrailing has enjoyed a
steady increase in modern day law enforcement and
search and rescue. Trails performed by proven trailing
Bloodhounds are permissible in court. "Blood," in the
breed name "bloodhound," probably comes from "blooded"
- meaning a hound of pure breeding. In French-speaking
parts of Europe Bloodhounds are still known as St.
Hubert hounds.